No one knows for sure if Sweeney Todd actually existed, but this story,
taken from a serialization in a Penny Dreadful from 1846, was the first
official record of the terrible crimes committed by the Demon Barber of
Fleet Street.
Gory? No! What's particularly good about this adaptation is that none of
the horror is to be seen -- making this a truly wonderful version of a
brilliant book.
This story first appeared in serialized form in 1800s London and gripped
the nation. Although there is no explicit record of these events taking
place, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that Todd existed and
that he was the world's worst mass-murderer.
A gruesome tale, portrayed with a certain Victorian twee-ness that
borders on the comical.
This edition presents the entire story with simplified US English, ideal
for ELL students, reluctant readers, or for students who want a quick
understanding of the play before tackling the full text. Artwork and
page numbers are identical to the Original Text edition, enabling
differentiation in the classroom.